Devil's Den LbNA #9215

If the devil had a den, a quiet place to read and relax far from his maddening minions, it might be a place like this. Not spectacular or awe-inspiring, but tranquil, satisfying, and cool with shade and the sound of running water. Here is a single letterbox on a moderately difficult 4 mile loop around Hell Hollow on the Quinebaug Trail in Sterling, CT. There are no flames or spells here, but it is a good place to remember your bug spray.

Directions: in scenic Sterling CT, on Rte. 49 between Routes 14A and 138, turn west on Hell Hollow Rd to find Hell Hollow Pond on your right. Park in the fisherman's lot on the far side of the pond. This hike will follow a clockwise loop in the woods above the pond.

On foot or mountain bike, continue westerly up the road to the top of a small hill, and turn right (north) through the gate and onto the blue-blazed Quinebaug Trail. This is a generally wide forest road that beelines northward for about 2 miles until it intersects dirt-surfaced Flat Rock Rd. Turn right, east-southeast, with the blazes and follow the trail over slickrock and ledge, with views to the south. Leaving the ledges behind, walk downhill, and, about 1/2 mile from the previous right turn intersection, find a jumble of rocks on the right with a seasonal brook tumbling under the road and through the rocks. Cut right, south, on a faint path and explore the water in the nooks and crannies. Spot another jumble to the southeast and cross over the brook to climb up and look for treasure on the highest point. Devil's Den is overgrown now, but there are lots more interesting little jumbles of rock to explore if you're in the mood.

Then continue along the blue-blazed road a couple hundred yards to a "Y" intersection and turn right, east-southeast on the yellow-blazed Pachaug Connector Trail. Watch for it to jog right into the woods, turning into a pleasant singletrack footpath that will bring you south and downhill to seasonal views through trees of Hell Hollow Pond. Watch for the yellow trail to zig left and connect with the blue-blazed Pachaug Trail. Turn right and continue southwards, this time following blue. (If you miss this ziggy intersection, the yellow blazes will disappear and you'll find yourself down close by the pond: just continue on southwards with the pond to your right. It gets a little boggy, but the trail swoops back uphill to rejoin the blue trail heading south after several hundred yards). Pass through an evergreen forest and rejoin paved Hell Hollow Rd. Turn right, west, a short way to your car on the pond.